The Impact of a Dementia-Friendly Garden Design on People With Dementia in a Residential Aged Care Facility: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672110634
Author(s):  
Parinaz Motealleh ◽  
Wendy Moyle ◽  
Cindy Jones ◽  
Karine Dupre
Keyword(s):  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Garden Design ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Background: There is a paucity of evidence on the efficacy of garden design based on dementia-friendly environment (DFE) characteristics on the level of agitation, apathy, and engagement of people with dementia in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Objective: To investigate the effect of a garden improved according to DFE characteristics on agitation, apathy, and engagement of people with dementia in one RACF. Methods: A case study design with a mixed-method approach was used. Results: There was no significant improvement in the level of participants’ agitation following visits to the improved garden, χ2(2) = 5.167, p = .076. A high level of engagement was found in participants during the intervention (Week 1-1, p < .01; Week 1-2, p < .01; Week 2, p < .01; Week 3, p < .05; and Week 4, p < .05) when compared to before intervention (Week 0). A higher level of apathy was found in participants at Week 0 when compared to during the intervention (Week 1-1, p < .05; Week 1-2, p < .01; Week 2, p < .05; Week 3, p < .01; and Week 4, p < .01). Five themes emerged from participant interviews: the presence of sensory-provoking elements in the garden, meaningful engagement in the garden, accessibility of the garden, garden impacts, and garden experiences that demonstrated the effectiveness of the garden. Conclusions: The garden promoted engagement and decreased apathy of people with dementia living in the RACF with the researcher’s partial facilitation of the intervention sessions. The qualitative findings indicated the effectiveness of the garden in reducing agitation.

scholarly journals Residential aged care facility clinical placements for undergraduate paramedic students: An evaluation of the Australian experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigit Stratton ◽  
Emma Lea ◽  
Marguerite Bramble ◽  
Claire Eccleston ◽  
Mike McCall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Clinical Placement ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Clinical Placements ◽  
Palliative Approach ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

IntroductionThis paper presents an evaluation of the pilot aged care clinical placement undertaken by undergraduate paramedic students in the university-based Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre’s Teaching Aged Care Facilities Program. The objective is to examine the learning experiences of students taking part in the first paramedic student clinical placement in Tasmania to be situated in the residential aged care environment. The students’ interactions with residents with dementia and with older people requiring a palliative approach to care are discussed, as key strategies to enhance paramedic student learning.MethodTwenty-one final year undergraduate paramedic students completed a 5-day (40 hour) clinical placement in September/October 2011, in two participating residential aged care facilities in Tasmania, Australia. Qualitative data were obtained from weekly feedback meetings with students, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to content analysis. Quantitative data from pre and post-placement questionnaires were collected and descriptive analyses performed.ResultsThe data showed that students enjoyed interaction with residents and that this built their communication skills, particularly with residents with dementia. Students also learnt about the importance of a palliative approach to care and improved their knowledge of dementia.ConclusionA supported placement program for paramedic students in residential aged care facilitates student learning in a number of areas, particularly around working with people with dementia, which is likely to enhance student readiness for the graduate paramedic role. 

Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literature

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Filan ◽  
Robert H. Llewellyn-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Pet Dogs ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Potential Benefits

Background: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is gaining popularity as part of therapy programs in residential aged care facilities. Humans and pet dogs respond to quiet interaction with a lowering of blood pressure and an increase in neuroche-micals associated with relaxation and bonding. These effects may be of benefit in ameliorating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).Methods: Medline, PsychInfo and CINAHL databases (1960–2005) were searched for papers on AAT or pets and dementia. Publications of controlled trials that measured the effect of AAT for dementia were reviewed.Results: Several small studies suggest that the presence of a dog reduces aggression and agitation, as well as promoting social behavior in people with dementia. One study has shown that aquaria in dining rooms of dementia care units stimulate residents to eat more of their meals and to gain weight but is limited by the small number of facilities studied. There is preliminary evidence that robotic pets may provide pleasure and interest to people with dementia.Conclusions: Current literature suggests that AAT may ameliorate BPSD, but the duration of the beneficial effect has not been explored. The relative benefits of “resident” versus “visiting” pet dogs are unclear and are confounded by the positive effect of pet interaction on staff or caregivers. Further research on the potential benefits of AAT is recommended.

Thickened fluids for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. e7-e7
Author(s):  
M. Prior ◽  
S. Sacre ◽  
J. Wilson ◽  
R. Fleming ◽  
J. Abbey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

scholarly journals Integrating pharmacists into aged care facilities to improve the quality use of medicine (PiRACF Study): Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
sam kosari ◽  
Jane Koerner ◽  
Mark Naunton ◽  
Gregory M Peterson ◽  
Ibrahim Haider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Aged Care Facility ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Abstract BackgroundMedication management in residential aged care facilities is an ongoing concern. Numerous studies have reported high rates of inappropriate prescribing and medication use in aged care facilities, which contribute to residents’ adverse health outcomes. There is a need for new models of care that enhance inter-disciplinary collaboration between residential aged care facility staff and healthcare professionals, to improve medication management. Pilot research has demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of integrating a pharmacist into the aged care facility team to improve the quality use of medicines. This protocol describes the design and methods for a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the outcomes and conduct economic evaluation of a service model where on-site pharmacists are integrated into residential aged care facility healthcare teams to improve medication management.MethodsIntervention aged care facilities will employ on-site pharmacists to work as part of their healthcare teams. Pharmacists will assume responsibility for medication management, and collaborate with facility nurses, prescribers, community pharmacists, residents and families to improve the quality use of medicines. The intervention will last for 12 months. Aged care facilities in the control group will continue usual care. The target sample size is 1,188 residents from a minimum of 13 aged care facilities. The primary outcome is the appropriateness of prescribing, measured by the proportion of residents who are prescribed at least one potentially inappropriate medicine according to the 2019 Beers Criteria. Secondary outcomes include hospital and Emergency Department presentations, fall rates, prevalence and dose of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Score, staff influenza vaccination rate, time spent on medication rounds, appropriateness of dose form modification and completeness of resident’s allergy and adverse drug reaction documentation. A cost-consequence and cost-effectiveness analysis will be embedded in the trial.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide information on clinical and economic outcomes of a model that integrates on-site pharmacists into Australian residential aged care facilities. The results will provide policymakers with recommendations relevant to further implementation of this model.Trial registrationACTRN: ACTRN12620000430932, retrospectively registered with ANZCTR on 1 April 2020. Available from https://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx#&&conditionCode=&dateOfRegistrationFrom=&interventionDescription=&interventionCodeOperator=OR&primarySponsorType=&gender=&distance=&postcode=&pageSize=20&ageGroup=&recruitmentCountryOperator=OR&recruitmentRegion=&ethicsReview=&countryOfRecruitment=&registry=&searchTxt=ACTRN12620000430932&studyType=&allocationToIntervention=&dateOfRegistrationTo=&recruitmentStatus=&interventionCode=&healthCondition=&healthyVolunteers=&page=1&conditionCategory=&fundingSource=&trialStartDateTo=&trialStartDateFrom=&phase=

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